Luminous tube connection device



May 16, 1933. w. o. PROUTY LUMINOUS TUBE CONNECTION DEVICE Filed Feb. 10

l UI mr IN VENTOR V/WAS O. Fra /'y ATTORNEY Patented May 16, 1933 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIS O. PROUTY, OF HERMOSA BEACH, CALIFORNIA,ASSIGNOR TO METLOX COBPO.- 4

RATION, LTD., OF MANHATTAN BEACH, CALIFORNIA, A CORPOBATION OI' CALI-FORNIA.

LUMINOUS TUBE CONNECTION DEVICE Application filed February 10, 1930.Serial No. 427326.

This invention relates to a device for leading electrical energy into aluminous tube, such as are now in common use for signs and advertisingpurposes. These tubes usually comprise a filling of a noble monatomc gasat low pressures, arranged to be rendered luminous by the passage of anelectrc current through the gas.

Often such tubes are supported on the exterior of a box structure, whichforms a support for the tubes. Since the potential dfferences used toenergize the tubes are of the order of thousands of volts, it isnecessary that the wires leading to the tube be very heavily insulated.Such insulated wires are stifi and cannot be bent at sharp angles.

It is one of the objects of my invention to provide a connector in whichthe wres can be led to the tube straight, thereby reducmg the spacerequired for housing the wrng, and making the completed sign morecompact. The insulation clearances are also mproved.

. My invention possesses -many other advantages, and has other objectswh ch may be made more easily apparent from a consderation of oneembodiment ofi 'ny invention. For this purpose I have shown a form n thedrawing accompanying and forming part of the present specificatior. Ishall now proceed to describe this/'form in detail, wh ch illustratesthe general principles of my 1nvention; but it is to be understood thatths detailed description is not to be taken 111 a limiting sense, sincethe scope of my invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing:

F igure 1 is a sectional view of a porton of a sign box structureshowing my device in use Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the connector;

can be led into the tube. This cap is resiliently held in a springsocket of suitable design, which is located in the bottom of the tubularportion 16. In the present instance, this spring socket is formed by apair of resilient metal strips`20, 21 of U-shapes. The legs of the U arereversely bent to form the opposed spring fingers 23 engagingthe cap 19.The strips 20, 21 are held together at their ends as by a screw 24 whichalso serves as a terminal post.

A cable or wire 25, heavily insulated, extends to the screw 24 to leadcurrent thereto. A right angle' extension 26 leading from the tube 16and integrally formed therewith, serves to protect and insulate thecurrent carrying parts from the box 11. The spring socket 20-21 need notbe fastened to the device 15, since the wire 25, in conjunction with thetube 12, keeps it in place.

leakage Currents.

A resilient washer 27 can be used to cover the tube 16 and to make itweatherproof.

I'QIEII! 1. In a device for leading current to a luminous tube, atubular body made from insulation material, a spring socket resting onthe bottom of the body and in position to be engaged by the end of aluminous tube, said socket having a terminal post, said socket beingunattached to the body, and a radialtube extension extending from thebody near the bottom thereof, for shielding a connecting Wire to thepost, said extension being long enough to provide a long creepingsurface for leakage Currents.

2. In a device for leading current to a luminous tube, a tubular bodymade from insulation material; a spring socket resting on the bottom ofthe body and in position to be engaged by the end of a luminous tube,said socket having a terminal post, and an integrally formedright-angled extension from the tubular body for shielding a connectingvvire to the post, said wi'e being unrestrained by said extension fortransverse movement therein.

3. In combination, a tubular body made from insulation material, saidbody adapted to be Secured to the top of a box structure so that thebottom of the former is spaced from the bottom of the latter, a springsocket resting on the bottom of the body and in a position to be engagedby the end of a luminous tube, said socket having a, terminal ost, saidsocket being unattached to the beti and a radial tube extensionextending from the body near the bottom thereof for shielding aconnecting Wire to the post, said extension loosely surrounding theconnecting Wire and being long enough to provide a long creeping surfacefor leaking Currents.

In testimony Whereof I have hereunto set 'my hand.

WILLIS O. PROUTY.

